I just returned from Grand Rapids where I installed my ArtPrize entry over the grand stairway at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel. Its called "Fukushima: The Bald-Headed Suiters and the Angry Slab." It is a digital painting made up of 44 20-inch square canvas panels and it measures about 7 feet high and 19 feet wide. It was inspired by the nuclear meltdown at Fukushima, Japan. Its about technology run amok.
I've been sweating bullets for the last couple weeks, worrying about getting it done, and worrying about how to hang it. Thanks to a couple of very handy maintenance guys at the Marriott, the picture looks great.
ArtPrize begins on Wednesday, September 21 and runs for two and a half weeks when the city of Grand Rapids turns into a giant art gallery, with over 1500 paintings, sculptures, installations, videos, films and what-not on exhibit at about 150 different locations around the city, all vying for over $450,000 in award money awarded by popular vote. Its an incredible event and worth seeing if you get a chance. When I was installing my piece at the Marriott, the hotel manager was still waiting for an artist from Beijing to arrive with his entry. There are artists from around the world exhibiting in Grand Rapids, Michigan!
Now I have to scramble to get ready for the Peoria Art Fair this week-end. Too bad my ArtPrize piece is booked in Grand Rapids. It would be great to show it in Peoria. Wouldn't fit in my 10x10 booth anyway...
Check out www.ArtPrize.org to see how you can participate in picking the winners. And stop by the Marriott. I'll be there Wednesday evening with my entry.
John Leben
Comments
Very nice John